Trucking Accident Lawyer Blog

Sustaining bodily injury as a result of any kind of city or highway traffic accident can be both physically and psychologically traumatic. Car accidents, boating mishaps, motorcycle wrecks and bus collisions can all prove injurious to an individual given the right circumstances. Some of the most serious and deadly traffic accidents are caused by commercial trucks, such as construction vehicles, semi tractor-trailers, large delivery box trucks and even smaller, but heavily-laden commercial work trucks.

In any case, being injured as a result of another party’s negligence may be reason to file a personal injury lawsuit or claim against the negligent individual or individuals. In the case of trucking crashes, the fault -- as initially determined by the local law enforcement agency -- may lie with the driver of the vehicle, or it may be the fault of the trucking carrier or even a third party, such as a maintenance or repair facility. Naturally, the job of determining which parties should be named in a personal injury suit is typically too much for the average person, especially if that person is incapacitated by the accident.

Finally, injury as a result of a traffic accident involving a large commercial vehicle can be due to a poorly designed or manufactured part or component. Historically, it is not uncommon for motorcycle, truck and car accidents to be caused by incorrectly manufactured tires, steering components and braking systems. Lawsuits stemming from these kinds of car and truck collisions are also known as product liability claims; they can be tied to an injury accident -- or in cases of fatal wrecks, may be related to a wrongful death lawsuit.

Because commercial trucking companies conduct the majority of their business operations on public roads -- and in close proximity to other vehicles carrying individuals and families -- federal and state governments have established numerous laws, legal statutes and industry guidelines to regulate certain critical aspects of these firms’ business conduct that may affect the public adversely should those practices be overlooked or ignored to the detriment of public safety.

Continue reading "Maryland Car and Truck Injury Update: Trucking-related Injury Accidents, Their Causes and Prevention" »

Considering the damage and injury that can occur as a result of a traffic collision between a semi tractor-trailer rig and a much smaller family minivan, sport utility vehicle or economy car, it’s very important that the individuals who operate these behemoths be properly trained and licensed.

Without a doubt, commercial trucks are everywhere one looks in Baltimore, Rockville, Gaithersburg and Washington, D.C. As an important part of this nation’s flow of commerce, large trucks are a necessary evil, to put it bluntly. Of course, most truckers are careful professionals who take their jobs quite seriously. However, as with any industry, there are bad apples in the bunch.

With all these vehicles -- 18-wheelers, contractor vehicles, box trucks and delivery vans -- there is always the potential for a trucking-related traffic accident no matter where you are. Pedestrians and bicycle riders are also not immune to the dangers presented by thoughtless or inattentive truck drivers, especially in busy urban areas where bike, foot vehicle traffic share the same roads.

Being involved in a serious car accidents and truck collisions can be frightening enough, but once injured due to a commercial trucking accident, one must usually face the task of both physical and financial recovery. Sad to say, obtaining justice following a truck accident in Maryland may be difficult. Because they are usually associated with large businesses, commercial truck carriers usually have extensive legal resources that help them to avoid large payouts.

As mentioned, there are always some bad drivers out there, but it is important to remember that Maryland trucking firms can be held liable for employing negligent truckers who cause a serious roadway injury accident or fatal trucking collision. In these types of situations, as Maryland personal injury lawyers, it is our job to represent the victims or the victim’s families in order to gain some compensation for their loss.

The insurance companies that represent trucking firms typically try very hard to limit how much they will pay for any insurance claim. It’s not uncommon for the victims of such highway wrecks to actually be accused by the insurance company of causing the accident.

Continue reading "Baltimore Trucking Injury Update: Maryland Truck Owners Have a Responsibility to Not Employ Negligent Drivers" »

While there are numerous factors that can contribute to a commercial truck crash, many Maryland trucking-related traffic accidents involve problems with proper loading on the vehicle or trailer. Box trucks, dump trucks and gravel haulers, as well as semi tractor-trailers must all be loaded properly to avoid dangerous roadway collisions due to shifting contents or lost loads.

As Maryland personal injury attorneys and commercial truck accident lawyers, I and my legal staff understand the potential for serious or fatal injury that can result from a highway accident between a large commercial vehicle and smaller motor vehicle. Occupants of passenger sedans, SUVs, minivans can receive life-threatening injuries during a collision with an 18-wheeler or large delivery truck. Pedestrians and even motorcycle riders hurt in these kinds of traffic accidents are often among the most likely to die as a result of such traffic wrecks.

As mentioned, improper loading, whether due to excessive weight, poor load placement, or improper tie-down or otherwise incorrectly secured loads can all be contributing factors to serious or fatal trucking accidents. With commercial semi tractor-trailers weighing upward of 80,000 pounds, it’s no surprise that commercial truck drivers must have specialized training and pass federally-mandated testing to qualify for a commercial trucking license. But in spite of all this, accident can and do occur on an alarmingly frequent basis.

A while back, a woman was killed after the car in which she was riding collided with a piece of construction machinery that fell off a flatbed trailer belonging to a Maryland firm. The crash happened on a Friday afternoon along a stretch of interstate, according to reports. Based on information from local police and fire-rescue units, 42-year-old Yingzi Wang driving southbound on the highway with three others in a 2000 Toyota Sienna when a backhoe/front-end loader apparently rolled off of the trailer in front of Wang’s vehicle.

Continue reading "Maryland Trucking Accident News: Backhoe Rolls Off Trailer, Hits Minivan Causing Fatal Traffic Accident" »

It seems that every time we turn around, there’s another large highway accident caused by a commercial truck driver. This is, of course, not an indictment of all professional truckers out there, many of whom are conscientious drivers who understand the enormity of their personal responsibility to handle these big rigs with care and safety. But, on the other hand, there is a percentage of 18-wheeler, box truck and commercial delivery truck operators who lack either the training or the concern for others on the roadways.

As Maryland commercial trucking accident attorneys and personal injury lawyers, it’s our job to help victims of highway traffic accidents and their families recover from severe and sometimes fatal car, truck and motorcycle wrecks. Nothing can shock a family to its core like a serious injury accident that sends a father or mother to the hospital.

Medical costs alone are difficult enough to manage these days, what with many people being out of work or just hanging on. Throw in the loss of wages due to a terrible car, or truck collision and you have a perfect storm of hospital bills and no, or greatly reduced family income to help pay for them.

While a number of trucking accidents can be attributed to mechanical problems, such as defective safety equipment, poorly maintained brakes, or badly worn tires, a greater percentage of tractor-trailer crashes stem from driver error. It’s not uncommon these days for even a professional truck driver to be distracted by his cellphone or some other device in the truck cab.

Whatever the reason, the carnage wrought by an out-of-control 18-wheeler can be widespread and deadly for occupants of nearby passenger cars. Broken bones, internal injuries, head and neck trauma, as well as other serious injuries can be life-threatening if the victim is not attended to in time.

Continue reading "Baltimore Commercial Trucking Accident News: Police Charge Maryland Tractor-trailer Driver in Multi-vehicle Crash" »

It’s a bit trite to say that nobody ever expects to get into a traffic accident, but the fact remains that most people who are involved in a car, truck or motorcycle wreck did not see it coming until the last moment. We’ve said it here before, but fate is not particular when it comes to injury accidents. Men, women and children can all be hurt in a roadway crash, whether it’s a single-vehicle accident or a multi-car pileup.

Of course, some of the most deadly wrecks are collisions involving commercial trucks, such as semi tractor-trailers, heavy construction vehicles such as gravel haulers and cement mixers, and even commercial box trucks. All of these motor vehicles are many times more massive than any passenger car on the road today. When a commercial vehicle strikes a family sedan, minivan or SUV, the odds of occupant injury jump significantly.

As Baltimore auto accident attorneys and Maryland personal injury lawyers, our firm has the skills and knowledge to represent victims of traffic collisions caused by negligent individuals. Whether that person is a commercial trucker, a school bus driver, or delivery truck operator, these people are professionals and as such are expected to handle their vehicles correctly and obey all applicable laws and rules of the road.

While most commercial truck drivers are good at what they do, there is a certain number that, from time to time, give the trucking industry a very bad name. Negligent driving, poor vehicle maintenance procedures, illegal overloading of trailers and tampering with vehicle safety equipment are all potential areas that these bad apples are sometimes accused of doing prior to a serious highway crash.

Continue reading "Baltimore Personal Injury Update: Commercial Trucking Accidents Don’t Always Result in Charges against the Driver" »

Things happen pretty fast in the case of a traffic accident, and it’s not always easy to remember how the event transpired or even what happened afterward. For this very reason it is always a good idea to consult a qualified auto accident lawyer or Maryland personal injury attorney following a serious car, truck or motorcycle crash.

Knowing what to do following a commercial truck accident, it is important to remember some other things. Especially where injuries or property damage are concerned, the victims may be approached by attorneys representing the trucking company’s insurance carrier. Do yourself a favor; do not talk to anyone until you have consulted a trucking accident attorney to better understand your situation.

For instance, as a person who has been hurt or seriously injured following a trucking-related roadway collision, it is your legal right in Maryland to present the police-issued traffic citation as one of the pieces of evidence should you decide to bring a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit against a commercial truck driver or cartage company.

As Maryland trucking accident lawyers, we know that being involved in a crash with semi tractor-trailer rig can present the victims with serious medical complications, some of which can manifest themselves as life-threatening or certainly life-changing problem. We know this from first-hand experience representing victims and their families.

Whether you live in the Baltimore, Rockville or Washington, D.C., area, whenever an individual is caught up in a serious collision with a commercial delivery truck, tanker trailer rig or even a commuter bus, the resulting medical treatments and physical therapy can present a financial nightmare to those affected.

Continue reading "Maryland Commercial Truck Accident Update: Important Things to Remember Regarding Trucking-related Injury Accidents" »

As anyone who drives in the Baltimore area knows, heavy commercial trucks such as Peterbilts, Macks, Freightliners and Kenworths, among other makes, travel our roadways in large numbers. What few people remember, as they drive in and around metropolitan areas like Annapolis, the District, Gaithersburg and Bowie, is that the shear mass of these large, cross-country tractor-trailers can easily crush a sedan, minivan or SUV. Because of this, motorists live with the ever-present danger of a serious, life-threatening crash between these large trucks and the smaller and lighter passenger cars that share the road with them.

As potentially dangerous as these huge vehicles can be, they are important players in this country’s economic health and therefore not likely to disappear from the scene anytime soon. Traffic accidents involving autos and commercial trucks are frequent and can cause serious injury, permanent disability and death. The reasons for trucking accidents can vary as well, from defective vehicle and poor maintenance procedures, to distracted driving and operator fatigue.

As Maryland trucking accident lawyers and personal injury attorneys, I and my staff are experienced in the representing victims of commercial truck collisions. We understand how motorists in cars, light trucks or motorcycles can receive extensive injuries from a crash leading to broken bones, internal bleeding, collapsed lungs or closed head injuries.

Hundreds, even thousands, of 18-wheelers, box trucks, tankers, heavy construction vehicles, are involved in multi-vehicle accidents annually, causing millions of dollars in damage, medical treatment and physical therapy for thousands of people nationwide. Some of these wrecks are severe enough to cause death to passenger car drivers and other occupants.

If a fully-loaded tractor-trailer rig goes out of control, it can become a 40-ton battering ram with the impact force of more than 20 average-sized passenger cars. Based on research conducted over the years, safety experts know that many trucking accidents can be avoided. And while most commercial trucking firms are responsible enough to ensure that their fleets are safely maintained and driven, some companies are not so careful.

Cargo overloading is a common problem in the trucking industry and can result in operational problems for commercial truck drivers. Physics also plays a part when these heavy haulers are overloaded, causing the vehicle to travel farther even under maximum braking. Add the possibility of defective braking equipment and that could leave the driver unable to stop and possibly causing the operator to lose control especially under adverse weather conditions.

Continue reading "Baltimore Commercial Trucking Accident Update: Passenger Car Occupants Most at Risk in Multi-Vehicle Truck Wrecks" »

As a Maryland personal injury attorney who represents victims of trucking-related crashes, I understand the various factors that contribute to serious tractor-trailer collisions with passenger cars, minivans and sport utility vehicles. As anyone who has been involved in a traffic wreck with an 18-wheeler knows, the force of such an accident can severely injure or even kill the occupants of the smaller motor vehicle.

Here in Baltimore and other cities and towns across our state, these kinds of car-truck crashes happen fairly often. Similarly, delivery truck and motorcycle wrecks are also common, especially in congested urban areas, as are bicycle-related injury accidents.

In many cases, trucking-related traffic accidents can result in cuts and bruises at one end of the spectrum, while broken arms, crushed tibias, and fractured vertebrae are a examples of more serious bodily injury. Of course, some of the worst would be traumatic brain injury and spinal cord damage. These last two can result in a lifetime filled with multiple surgeries, continuous therapies and even around-the-clock nursing care.

Fatalities are not uncommon, especially when one considers the weight difference between a fully loaded cross-country big rig and a 3,000-pound minivan. Occupants in these smaller vehicles are at much greater risk of being killed when struck by a large tractor-trailer than if their vehicle is hit by another passenger car or light truck.

A percentage of commercial truck crashes can be traced to fatigue, which has become somewhat of a hot-button topic in traffic safety circles. Nearly as dangerous as drunken driving, drowsy driving presents the same threat to the road-going public since the end result -- a trucking-related accident -- can be just as deadly as that caused by impairment as a result of alcohol or prescription drug use.

Drowsy driving can lead to numerous traffic violations -- running a red light, ignoring a red signal, failure to yield and speeding – all of which can lead to an accident. In an effort to reduce the number of fatigue-related trucking accidents the federal government has regulations in place that limit the number of hours a truck driver can spend on the road before taking a break, as well as other requirements.

Continue reading "Maryland Commercial Trucking Injury Update: Relating Traffic Accidents to Federal Regulations for Hours of Service" »

Most people realize that traffic accidents involving 18-wheel big rigs can cause massive traffic delays due to the shear size of these motor vehicles. But for the same reason that traffic can become inexorably snarled during rush hour, these over-the-road commercial trucks can cause extremely severe property damage and bodily harm.

As Maryland automobile accident lawyers and personal injury attorneys, I and my staff have the experience to know how a single, seemingly simple lapse in concentration or judgment can lead to a terrible highway wreck that could leave an individual or family with grave medical complications. No one should be surprised by the frequency of such accidents in and around cities like Baltimore, Washington, D.C., Hagerstown and Bowie.

Not long ago, Cumberland police and emergency services responded to the scene of a traffic collision along a stretch of interstate 68 where a semi driver apparently lost control of his rig and hit another vehicle, which then caused several other vehicles to be hit. While nobody died as a result of this particular tractor-trailer crash, there have been instances where motorists have been killed by such an event.

In this case, the crash occurred just before 5pm near Exit 43A on I-68 when a semi-tractor and trailer operated by 72-year-old Robert Guinn swerved from the center lane of the eastbound roadway and hit a 2006 Kia SUV in the left lane, sending that vehicle up and over the jersey barrier and into westbound traffic.

According to police at the time of the news article, investigators had not settled on a likely reason for why Guinn’s truck went out of control in the first place. Such events can sometimes be attributed to driver error, while at other times there could be a possibility of defective vehicle equipment, such as a damaged or malfunctioning steering component or a blown-out tire possibly resulting from improper maintenance.

Continue reading "Tractor-trailer Crashes into Passenger Cars, Causing Multi-vehicle Accident on I-68 in Allegany County" »

As Baltimore personal injury attorneys and auto accident lawyers, we cannot stress enough the multidute of dangers faced by Maryland drivers on virtually a daily basis. Even in the most seemingly innocuous traffic situations a fatal accident can occur without warning. Injury accidents and fatal car and truck crashes happen with alarming frequency throughout the state; please use extreme caution at all times, if not for your own sake, at least for that of your family.

A deadly car-truck crash occurred not long ago that showed what can happen when fate conspires to do someone harm. It’s difficult to say whethr or not the victim of this particular crash could have avoided the traffic accident altogether, however the tragic outcome was one that no family would ever want a loved one to experience. According to news reports, police were still investigating the accident a couple days after the fatal wreck.

Based on reports, a commercial flatbed tow truck -- a 2004 International -- was partially blocking one of the southbound lanes along a stretch of Crain Highway (US 301) near the intersection of Holly Lane. At about 8pm, the truck driver apparently attempted to maneuver the truck into the northbound side of the roadway, Maryland State Police stated. At that moment, a southbound 2007 Toyota Camry driven by 73-year-old Stanley Harten Wallace of Waldorf, MD, crashed into the tow truck around 8pm.

The force of the impact caused Wallace to be ejected from his vehicle, resulting in fatal injuries. Police reported that the tow truck driver, 35-year-old Jared Wingate of Hyattsville, was not injured in the accident. Court records indicated that Wingate had previously recently been charged with driving a motor vehicle with suspended registration and then failed to appear for a court hearing in late September of last year.

Man dies in crash, SoMDNews.com, December 1, 2010

Wherever you live, truck, car and motorcycle accidents are probably a common occurrence. Because we live in a mobile society, automobile collisions are sadly a fact of life, and while people might feel safer living out in the countryside, it’s not necessarily urban traffic accidents that result in fatalities, but rural crashes as well.

As a Baltimore trucking accident lawyer, I understand the reasons for car and truck accidents here in the Baltimore area and elsewhere across Maryland. It’s important to note that the National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA) determined a while back that driving in the countryside is no safer than driving in urban areas. In fact, the risk of a fatal car or truck crash in rural areas is nearly 40 percent higher than in our cities.

Part of the reason for this is due to the higher average speeds on rural roads, which can result in nearly two-times more chance of serious injury than in an urban setting. This, coupled with the fact that it typically takes longer for EMS personnel to respond to a crash out in the country, makes it more likely that you will survive a typical in-city traffic accident versus in one out in a rural area.

Not long ago, a man was killed in a traffic accident between a minivan and a commercial big rig along Rte. 13 in Somerset County. According to new accounts, Maryland State Police from the Princess Anne barrack reported a fatal crash on a Thursday evening when a Chevrolet Venture failed to yield to a ‘03 Peterbilt tractor-trailer rig. The 18-wheeler, which was going north along Rte 13 near Camp Road, hit the minivan when it turned left in front of the truck.

The force of the collision, which occurred at around 7:17pm, sent the minivan off the roadway and caused it to roll over several times. In the process 26-year-old Marino Cordova, who was seated in the backseat, was ejected from the vehicle as it rolled. Emergency responders arriving at the crash site pronounced Cordova dead at the scene.

At the time of the news report, police were still investigating the accident and driver negligence could have been the possible cause. Reports show that Velasquez was transported to Peninsula Regional Medical Center reportedly for non-life-threatening injuries.

SOMERSET: Man killed in Route 13 crash, DelmarvaNow.com, October 1, 2010

As a Maryland trucking and automobile accident attorney, I have a certain amount of professional experience when it comes to understanding the implications of a serious tractor-trailer traffic accident, especially where a crash involves a smaller vehicle such as an economy car, sedan or minivan. But the size of the smaller motor vehicle makes little difference since a semi is many times more massive than any passenger vehicle.

The fact of the matter is, few if any passenger cars -- whether a four-door luxury sedan or a large sport utility vehicle -- can withstand the crushing force of a commercial delivery truck, 18-wheeler, tanker truck or auto carrier. The bottom line is that the occupants of a passenger car or light truck are more apt to be injured or killed in such a traffic accident.

Something else that’s important to remember is that injuries suffered in automobile accidents can be non-life threatening yet pose lingering aftereffects that can last months or years, even a lifetime, after a crash. This is why it is always important to consult a personal injury lawyer following a traffic accident, if not for yourself, then do it for your family.

An example of an accident that is commonplace in congested urban areas happened not long ago when a passenger car was hit by a tractor-trailer along the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. According to news reports, the accident occurred on a late Friday afternoon when a big rig semi smashed into a man’s car on the westbound lanes of the bridge.

Based on police reports, the Anne Arundel County Fire Department responded to the crash just before 5pm. Emergency personnel arriving on the scene found a 24-year-old man trapped inside his car, which apparently had been crushed by the massive semi. Firefighters had to utilize special rescue equipment to free the motorist, who reportedly suffered serious injuries that were thankfully not life threatening.

According to authorities, a Maryland State Police helicopter was used to transport the injured man to Baltimore’s shock trauma center. Meanwhile, it took another hour to clear two of the three westbound lanes of the bridge in order to get traffic flowing again. At the time of the report, police had not determined the cause of the crash and were continuing to investigate the accident.

Accident Closes Westbound Bay Bridge Span, WUSA9.com, August 21, 2010

The recent bus accident on Interstate 270 yesterday, which claimed the life of the driver and injured a number of passengers including many children, reminds us of the random nature of highway traffic accidents. In this instance, the commercial vehicle was a chartered bus carrying 11 people back home from a trip to Washington, D.C. As a Maryland trucking accident lawyers and personal injury attorneys, our thoughts go out to the families of the victims and we all wish the survivors a speedy recovery from their injuries.

Of course, the Interstate Commerce Commission long ago instituted safety regulations to help protect both motorists and the occupants of commercial vehicles from the numerous and potentially deadly consequences of poorly maintained and operated delivery trucks, interstate buses, and 18-wheelers traveling on public roads. It's no surprise that car accidents involving large commercial vehicles can lead to multiple fatailities.

For anyone interested, those regulations are found in the Code of Federal Regulations, which was established for the express purpose to "help reduce or prevent truck and bus accidents, fatalities and injuries.” [Refer to 49 CFR 383.1(a)]. In fact, by requiring drivers to maintain a single nationwide commercial motor vehicle driver's license the federal government was trying to keep unqualified and potentially dangerous individuals from driving commercial motor vehicles on our highways and byways.

Although authorities believe the vehicle was in good mechanical condition with no obvious signs of defective equipment, they still don't know the cause of that terrible crash on I-270 in Bethesda. Until a complete investigation is conducted there is no way to know if the accident was a result of driver error or due to other factors; with the recent onslaught of drenching rain, the weather itself cannot be ruled out as a contributing factor in this awful crash.

According to news reports, several adults and six children (aged 7 to 12 years old) were hospitalized following a crash that sent an out-of-state tour bus down a 50-foot embankment off of I-280 in Montgomery County. For an as yet undetermined reason the bus left the roadway, crashed through a safety guardrail and then rolled to the bottom, killing the driver, 66-year-old Joseph Clabaugh Jr.

Based on police reports, the accident occurred at around 4pm as the vehicle was heading home to Pennsylvania from the District. A Maryland State Police inspector working in the state's Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division reportedly conducted a full mechanical inspection of the bus just after the crash and the bus was declared in good working order.

As of Thursday afternoon, four patients remained at Suburban Hospital in Bethesda in fair to good condition, according to police. All of the children had previously been released, some of the kids needed stitches and treatment for bruises from the crash.

Cause Of Bus Crash Remains A Mystery, WGAL.com, October 1, 2010

4 adults still hospitatized after bus crash, WashingtonPost.com, October 1, 2010

When it comes to traffic accidents, a passenger car and its occupants are no match for a semi tractor-trailer that crashes into it. But even the driver or passenger of an 18-wheeler may be at risk on the highway when another commercial truck, such as a Kenworth, Peterbilt or Freightliner, gets into trouble on the road.

As a Maryland trucking accident attorney and personal injury lawyer, I know from professional experience the types of property damage and bodily injuries that can result from big rigs crashes. And the danger is posed not only by the truck itself but the trailer and its typically heavy load. When a semi trailer losses its load on the highway, a serious accident can be just split seconds away.

An example of what can happen when a commercial over-the-road hauler dumps its load onto the roadway occurred not long ago along a stretch of Interstate 70 near Maryland’s Rte 66. According to news accounts, the wife of an out-of-state truck driver riding in her husband’s rig was seriously hurt when steel beams from another truck smashed into the couple’s tractor-trailer on a Wednesday morning. It's amazing that someone wasn't killed as a result of the aaccident.

The woman, 45-year-old Evonne J. Whalen, was reportedly riding in the passenger seat of her husband’s Freightliner when a couple structural beams fell into the eastbound lanes of the interstate. Those two huge pieces of steel weighing thousands of pounds apparently crashed into the passenger side of Whalen’s Freightliner, seriously injuring the woman’s legs and effectively pinning her inside the cab.

Emergency responders arriving on the scene required almost 45 minutes to extricate the woman from the damaged vehicle. According to Maryland State Police, the operator of the boom truck was attempting to lift the support beams from the trailer bed when he somehow lost control of the load causing the large pieces of steel to spin into the travel lanes of the interstate. There was no mention of where the boom mechanism or some other equipment was defective or failed to operate correctly.

Continue reading "Maryland Trucking Accident News: Big Rig Passenger Injured by Another 18-Wheeler’s Lost Load on I-70" »

Highway traffic accidents involving semi-tractor trailers and other large commercial trucks happen hundreds of times a year. Some of those crashes result in injuries to one or more people. Still others can cause death or permanent injury to occupants in smaller, less massive motor vehicles such as minivan, sedans, economy cars and motorcycles.

Statistics also indicate that larger vehicles, such as tractor-trailer rigs, are more likely to be involved in serious multiple-vehicle collisions than passenger cars. This data also tells us that injuries resulting from truck accidents can be much more serious and many times fatal. Common injuries include spinal cord damage, severe brain trauma, broken bones and other serious and permanent bodily harm.

As Maryland trucking accident attorneys, I and my staff know that any multi-vehicle accident can be fatal, with some causing mostly minor, yet significant injuries. Although people can physically recover from such minor wrecks, even those associated medical costs can become a burden to a family already strapped for cash.

A recent accident along Maryland’s Interstate 95 near Route 32 was one of the luckier types of 18-wheeler wrecks as it resulted in few serious injuries. However, it did show that there is always potential for disaster any time, any where.

According to news reports, the southbound portion of I-95 near Columbia, MD, was the site of a flipped 18-wheel trash hauler. Vehicles of this size can weight as much as 50,000 to 80,000 pounds depending on the type of cargo being carried. In this case, the truck was traveling along the entrance ramp to I-95 South around half past seven in the morning. As the driver of the rig negotiated the ramp connecting Route 32 to I-95, the vehicle suddenly overturned for some reason. Debris was scattered across all lanes and southbound traffic had to be stopped.

There were no serious injuries, although the truck driver likely required some attention. Because the it was an open trailer, debris was scattered all across the southbound lanes of I-95.

I-95 Southbound In Maryland Reopened After Tractor Trailer Carrying Trash Overturns, WUSA9.com, June 29, 2010

Large motor vehicles such as semi tractor-trailers, dump trucks and tankers can inflict serious personal injury and property damage when operated irresponsibly. As a Maryland trucking accident attorney, I understand the shear power of these vehicles and the potential for injury or death during a traffic accident.

While most drivers of commercial vehicles use caution when operating these large and massive machines, any mistake can be an opportunity for disaster. Smaller vehicles, such as passenger cars, minivans and motorcycles are at greatest risk when a big rig 18-wheeler goes out of control on a highway or city street. The results of a collision with a heavy truck can range from broken bones and lacerations to full-on paralysis and even death.

Not long ago a man who was driving a moving van was taken into custody by Prince George’s County police following a chase that resulted in a number of traffic accidents along the way. The majority of the incident took place along the Baltimore-Washington Parkway on a Monday afternoon.

According to news articles, around 2pm Monday a caller to the Prince George’s County police department reported a fight between two All My Sons moving company employees in a New Carrolton neighborhood. Police indicated that local residents said the movers were arguing about the manner in which they would move a heavy piece of furniture out of a home.

After one of the men attached the other, the suspect reportedly ran from the house and fled in the moving truck. Prince George's County Police initiated a pursuit after the driver attempted to run a Cheverly, MD, patrolman off the road. The truck hit multiple vehicles during the pursuit, running one passenger car off the road and into nearby woods. The victim of that impact was taken to a local hospital and was listed in fair condition with non-life threatening injuries.

The chase apparently ended when the driver crashed the moving van just south of Powder Mill Road. Officers on the scene took the man into custody at the intersection of Dorsey Run Road and Waterloo Road in Howard County. The entire event caused the Baltimore-Washington Parkway to be shut down for several hours as U.S. Park Police and an accident reconstruction unit investigated the aftermath.

Mover Causes Multi-Accident Police Pursuit in Moving Truck on Baltimore-Washington Parkway, MyFoxDC.com, June 1, 2010

Commercial trucks and semi tractor-trailer, such as Freightliners and Peterbuilts pose a significant threat on our highways and byways. As Maryland trucking accident attorneys and injury lawyers, our firm understands the seriousness of a traffic accident caused by negligent operation of over-the-road haulers, or big rigs. Motorists and passengers riding in relatively small passenger cars and minivans have a slim chance of escaping injury when hit by one of these heavy trucks.

Even in busy downtown areas, truck accidents can happen with little or no warning. Motorcycle riders and bicyclists, pedestrians and other commuters can all be injured or killed by a poorly driven delivery vehicle or other commercial motor carrier. The amount of local commerce can be an indicator of the potential frequency of trucking accidents in a particular area.

In Baltimore and other busy metropolitan centers, motorists must use extreme caution in and around industrial areas where truck traffic is usually the highest. These huge vehicles and their trailers can weigh a total of 80,000 pounds, the rough equivalent of 30 economy cars. Even large sport utility vehicles (SUVs) or light-duty pickup trucks are no match for a fully-laden tractor-trailer rig. In a crash, a fully-loaded semi can literally accordion a smaller passenger vehicle, injuring or killing the occupants.

Being a Maryland injury attorney, I have seen the aftermath of these kids of heavy truck-passenger car accidents. I know how every year hundreds of individuals are cars caught up in traffic accidents involving big rigs — some wrecks are fatal to the occupants of these passenger cars. This is one of the sad and sobering facts of trucking accidents.

Statistics show that injuries resulting from truck accidents can be much more serious than car-to-car crashes. Common injuries include spinal cord damage, brain trauma, broken bones and other serious and permanent bodily harm.

One last unfortunate fact that comes up time and time again; many trucking-related accidents can be avoided. While many trucking companies take the time and effort to ensure that their trucks and drivers are safe, still others do not. An overloaded trailer is one of the most frequent causes of truck wrecks.

Continue reading "Truckers’ Negligent Driving Can Cause Injuries and Occasional Death on Maryland’s Highways and City Streets" »

As a vehicle driver or passenger car occupant hurt or injured as a result of a truck driver’s negligence, you have the right to present the police-issued traffic citation as evidence in a personal injury or wrongful death suit against a big rig operator or trucking company. Being involved in a crash with an 18-wheeler can have serious medical implications and can cause life-changing results to a victim and his or her family.

As Maryland trucking accident lawyers, we know from first-hand experience how a multi-vehicle accident involving semi tractor-trailers can affect individuals months and even years following a crash. Whether someone is involved in a collision with a delivery truck, tanker trailer rig and over-the-road commercial hauler, the results can be financially crushing and medically devastating to say the least.

Injuries from such accidents can range from typically serious injuries, such as head and neck trauma, to lesser bodily harm like cuts, bruises and contusions. The smaller the victim’s vehicle the more chance there is for serious injury or death.

When it comes to bringing a suit, the injured party can use the truck driver’s traffic citation as part of his or her evidence that the truck driver was considered by the police to be negligent. As any person who has received a speeding ticket in this state knows, our traffic laws govern all Maryland drivers. What is important to understand, however, is that truck drivers are also governed by other federal as well as state regulations. If a commercial truck driver violates any of these laws and causes a car accident, the injured party may use that violation as evidence of the truck driver’s negligence.

Since heavy trucks including Mack, Volvo, Freightliners to name a few are used to maintain the commerce of our state and country, the number of these large trucks found on public roads will always be significant, especially during the work week. Busy metropolitan areas see a significant number of truck traffic, both expressway and surface street truck volume, and especially in areas populated by industrial parks and manufacturing centers.

Drivers of small family vehicles, such as minivans and passenger cars, must continually deal with the presence of these larger vehicles on a daily basis. In fact, a fully-loaded semi can weight as much a 80,000 pounds -- close to 20 times the weight of an average car or SUV. In a crash, a fully-loaded semi can literally crush the smaller vehicle with little effort.

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In Maryland highway collisions as well as automobile accidents on Annapolis, D.C., Columbia and other cities’ streets, occupants of a passenger car can be severely injured when hit by a large commercial delivery truck or over-the-road tractor-trailer rig. But even these large trucking company vehicles can be damaged and the drivers hurt, if not killed, if they are hit by a train.

Depending on the circumstances commuter train riders and railroad employees can also be hurt if the engine hits a large truck sitting on a railroad crossing. Personal injury attorneys in Baltimore and elsewhere can receive numerous inquiries following severe train-truck wrecks. The speed of the train and the size of the commercial vehicle usually determine how many passengers might sustain serious injuries as a result.

A few weeks ago, a truck driver operating a Volvo-powered 18-wheel rig crossed paths with a light rail passenger train. According to news reports at the time, investigators were checking into the collision in Cockeysville, MD, and were expected to lodge charges against the truck driver.

The driver, 53-year-old Mark Szurek of the John W. Ritter Trucking company, was transporting a Wabash trailer filled with plastic bottles when the crash occurred around 9:20am. Police stated that the driver appeared to have ignored the railroad crossing warning light and was crossing the tracks when the southbound train hit the truck.

The impact split the trailer in two, a part of which collided with a 2009 Honda Civic that was behind the semi at the time. The driver of the car, 45-year-old Elliott Schoen from Montgomery County refused medical treatment.

According to a Baltimore County police, the operator of the Maryland Transit Administration train was trapped for about 25 minutes before being rescued and then transported to Maryland Shock Trauma Center were she was in serious but stable condition at the time of the report.

Based on news reports, seven passengers were on the train at the time of the crash. Two were taken to local hospitals to be treated for minor injuries while the remaining five were reportedly unhurt.

Truck driver in light rail crash expected to face charges, BaltimoreSun.com, March 25, 2010

Charges pending against truck driver in rail crash, FrederickNewspost.com, March 24, 2010

Trucking accidents are some of the most deadly for occupants of passenger cars, light trucks and motorcycles. From thrown tire treads to loose trailers and out-of-control semi-tractors on severe grades, a motorist who is in the wrong place at the wrong time could be seriously hurt or even killed as a result.

As a Maryland trucking accident lawyer and personal injury attorney, I am dedicated to assisting victims and their families recover damages following a devastating tractor-trailer collision. Big rigs, also known as 18-wheelers, can haul in excess of 30 tons of cargo. With that much weight traveling at highway speeds, a serious disaster is just one wrong move away.

Not long ago, the Maryland State Police reported a fatal tractor-trailer crash that took the life of a Washington man and seriously injured his wife. According to news articles, the collision occurred on Interstate 95 crash in Harford County, MD, when a semi hit the couple as they stood by the side of the road.

Police reports indicate that the husband and the wife, who were traveling in separate vehicles, pulled there respective cars over to the side of the northbound lanes of the interstate. The husband, 38-year-old Leonard Clark, was driving a Dodge Charger and his wife, 39-year-old Kimberly Clark, was operating a Dodge Durango aside the northbound lanes of I-95.

Apparently an approaching tractor-trailer drove too close to the couple and hit both people just after 11pm on a weekday evening. Emergency medical personnel arrived at the scene and provided treatment on site before transporting the victims to Maryland Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore. Unfortunately, the husband’s injuries were too extensive and he dies at the scene.

The wife sustained life-threatening injuries and was transported to the hospital for treatment by doctors. According to reports at the time, Mrs. Clark was listed in critical condition. Authorities were still investigating the accident and it was not known at the time why the couple had stopped and gotten out of the vehicles prior to the crash.

Husband killed, wife injured after I-95 crash in Harford, BaltimoreSun.com, February 26, 2010